Problem with logging into account Microsoft

Question

Problem with logging into account Microsoft

Helia 5

Hello! I have weird problem with some accounts. For all accounts I have another verify account (outlook recovered by outlook), some have also phone number as recovery. I figured out I cannot re-add to other accounts the phone number (not new account). The issue is that out of 4 accounts, 2 REQUIRE code from email (outlook) to log (along with password) and I cannot mark "remember this pc". I'm wondering if it's something that gonna be for all accounts so I should double secure the "recovery" with other ways, or it's just a bug? (Outlook/Onedrive etc through Web)

Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-30T09:53:13.4266667+00:00

I forgot to add that I try to log into Teams or Onedrive, nothing like Security in the Account.
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-30T10:41:15.4433333+00:00

I don't have 2 FA enabled...

1 answer

Your answer

Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-30T09:53:13.4266667+00:00

I forgot to add that I try to log into Teams or Onedrive, nothing like Security in the Account.
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-30T10:41:15.4433333+00:00

I don't have 2 FA enabled...

Answer 1

Vikki-T 13,320 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Helia,

The email code prompt does not necessarily mean that two-step verification is enabled. Even when it is turned off, Microsoft may occasionally request an additional security code if a sign-in is considered unusual or requires extra verification. This can be assessed separately for each account, which may explain why only two of your four accounts are affected.

Please check the Recent activity page for each account and review whether there are any sign-ins you do not recognize: Review recent account activity

It would also be a good idea to add more than one backup sign-in method under Security > Manage how I sign in, such as Microsoft Authenticator, a passkey, or another accessible recovery email: Manage your Microsoft account security information

The “Remember this PC” option may not always appear. Also, if browser cookies are being cleared, blocked, or the account is accessed through an InPrivate window, Microsoft may not be able to retain the trusted sign-in session.

If the same two accounts continue requesting a code on every sign-in from the same browser and device, even with cookies enabled, you can contact Microsoft Support so the sign-in behavior can be investigated further.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Contributors do not have access to account security records or Microsoft’s back-end sign-in systems. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-30T14:43:07.6433333+00:00

logging was from the same place and same pc. i've added extra layer with authenticator. the thing is that its so sad that you cannot anymore use your phone number as security and the authenticator app doesnt have in-built protection with password which is pointless for everyday-device as it could bring risk of 'what if someone take phone and log with your account'....
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-30T19:20:40.4566667+00:00

I'm so sorry, the message was sent twice the same, that's why I'm deleting this post as it's repetition of what's above.
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-30T19:21:10.65+00:00

To add more details to the issue:

I used my own pc as usually. After putting correct password it moves me to "verify with email" and I cannot bypass it in any way. That happens also to other account that is apparently still workign with code for phone number OR another outlook account email for verification. For now I put Microsoft Authenticator as another extra step in case something goes wrong and locks me out of some outlook accounts.

I don't like how Microsoft Authenticator doesn't allow pin/password for app itself but requires security to locking phone itself. Some important apps have built-in pin/password for opening app and it's way better/safer.

I'm constantly using the account from the same place, same PC. All is fine with the "Logging Activity". The "remember me on this device" I tick it so it should work but it doesn't remember. I'm just worried (and seems not only me) about potential losing access to the account WHEN I only use the account for Outlook or Onedrive or Teams or Xbox and not for Account Security data etc.
Vikki-T 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-31T12:36:19.52+00:00

Hello Helia,

Thank you for providing these additional details.

Regarding Microsoft Authenticator, the app includes an App Lock option. When enabled, Authenticator requires the device PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition when the app is opened or a sign-in request is approved. It does not use a separate password created specifically for the Authenticator app. You can check this under Microsoft Authenticator > Settings > App Lock. More information is available in the Microsoft Authenticator FAQ.

It is sensible to keep Authenticator as an additional sign-in method, but please also retain at least one other accessible recovery method where available. A strong phone screen lock should remain enabled, and verification codes or approval requests should never be shared with anyone.

As the email verification is being enforced repeatedly and cannot be bypassed despite the device being remembered, the account’s server-side verification status would need to be reviewed. Please contact Microsoft Support, select Microsoft account > Account security, and explain that the same personal Microsoft accounts repeatedly require email verification on the same trusted PC even though Recent activity is normal.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Contributors cannot access account security records or change the verification requirements applied to an individual account. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-31T19:15:20.4766667+00:00

I tried to contact you through Microsoft Support and I couldn't.
edit: It asks me for using the AI help instead of contacting the agent.
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-10-31T19:26:38.1933333+00:00

With AI I verified one thing -- incognito logging in the browser (as I cannot contact agent from Microsoft through chat nor phone) -- there might be a bug while logging into account when you're in incognito in the browser. Without incognito mode, everything works normal so far. What's more, not all accounts suffer this problem. I'd want to know whether it will be fixed or it's gonna be permanent thing (I like to log through incognito due to easy relogging into other account then).
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-11-03T13:08:50.5966667+00:00

Any progress?
Vikki-T 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-03T13:14:40.97+00:00

Hi Helia,

I understand how inconvenient this must be, especially since every newly opened application or window remains behind the current window and requires you to select it manually from the taskbar.

Since the issue still occurs after you changed the relevant registry setting and ran both SFC and DISM, further investigation may require access to diagnostic information that cannot be reviewed through this user-to-user support forum.

Please open Contact Microsoft Support, select Windows, and paste the following message into the Support Assistant: I need to speak with a live support agent.

Before contacting support, press Windows + R, enter winver, and take a screenshot of the Windows version and OS build. It would also be helpful to note whether the issue affects every application or only specific ones, and whether it began after a Windows update or software installation.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, cannot access Windows diagnostic records or directly
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-11-04T09:13:02.92+00:00

Actually lately all my Microsoft Accounts suddenly require code from other email and not password for logging. At first I thought it was a bug but then ended up that it's a new way of logging and there's no other way to log without getting a code. Worse if you don't have access to other email OR it's outlook and also locked out.
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-11-04T09:14:31.18+00:00

Actually lately all my Microsoft Accounts suddenly require code from other email and not password for logging. At first I thought it was a bug but then ended up that it's a new way of logging and there's no other way to log without getting a code. Worse if you don't have access to other email OR it's outlook and also locked out.
Vikki-T 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-04T13:31:05.52+00:00

Hi Helia,

Since this verification requirement now affects all your Microsoft accounts and you are concerned about losing access to the recovery email, the issue will need to be reviewed directly by Microsoft Support.

Please contact Microsoft Support and explain that your accounts are requesting an email verification code instead of allowing the usual password sign-in. If the Support Assistant only provides automated suggestions, enter: “I need to speak with a live support agent.”

Please note that this is a user-to-user forum. Contributors cannot access account security records, change verification requirements, or restore access to an account.
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-11-04T15:03:57.5066667+00:00

I contacted already and all I got to know that "wait until maybe it disappear" or "remove recovery email and use only password, no other recovery modes". That's how Microsoft Support works. I really want to know if it's gonna happen to all accounts, or just step by step more accounts get affected by it. I really preferred having a backup outlook and outlook so I dont need to use gmail or other email providers. The issue is that when I log, it forces me to use code from email, no other way to enter email despite using correct password. Before it worked like I needed to verify by code from email only when I tried to enter "security" tab in account.live.com...
I'm really worried...
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-11-04T19:52:59.39+00:00

Actually again noticed that this time again it accepted logging without code as long as I made "remember me" and I didn't use the incognito mode... Yesterday this trick didn't work but 2 days ago it worked. It seem to be a bug?
Vikki-T 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-05T13:03:40.9333333+00:00

Hi Helia,

Thank you for the update. Since this behavior is controlled by Microsoft’s account security system, please continue working directly with Microsoft Support and explain that the verification prompt is intermittent, even on the same device and browser.

Please note that this is a user-to-user forum. Contributors cannot access your account security records, determine why a verification code is being requested, or change the verification requirements applied to your accounts. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Helia 5 Reputation points

2026-11-05T15:16:58.62+00:00

They are no help for me sadly even if I explained everything they suggested me to eventually get used to it OR remove any security info for recovery...
Vikki-T 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-06T13:54:06.95+00:00

Hi Helia,

I understand how disappointing it must be.

Unfortunately, since Microsoft Support was unable to provide an account-specific solution, there is no further action that contributors in this user-to-user forum can take. I cannot access the affected accounts, review Microsoft’s security triggers, or escalate changes to the account verification system.

Thank you for sharing the outcome of your support contact.